PETALING JAYA: Budget 2022 was disappointing as there were no announcements of new large projects to spur recovery in the construction industry, says the Master Builders Association of Malaysia (MBAM).

       Its secretary-general Datuk Seri Eric Kuan Khian Leng said the association was expecting Budget 2022 to be more uplifting for the ailing construction industry.

       “Disappointingly, there were no announcements of new mega infrastructure projects to revive the Malaysian construction industry.

       “MBAM appeals to the government to provide more assistance for the industry to revive and sustain the construction sector,” he said in a statement on Friday (Oct 29).

       In Budget 2022, RM3.5bil was allocated for infrastructure projects, among them the Pan-Borneo Highway and Central Spine Road.

       Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz also said the government will continue implementing small and medium projects worth a total of RM2.9bil that will target Class G1 to G4 contractors across the country.

       “This allocation involves maintenance of roads, overhaul of obsolete infrastructure and equipment of public universities, polytechnics and community colleges, as well as other projects involving social amenities at the rural areas,” Zafrul said.

       However, Kuan thanked the government for approving the projects targeting Class G1 to G4 contractors as these are still beneficial to the industry.

       These projects will involve RM1.5bil to continue housing projects for the low-income group, RM1.5bil to build 519km of rural roads that will benefit 130,000 residents, and RM107mil to install 7,000 units of streetlights in villages, among others.

       At the same time, Kuan also said MBAM is supportive of the announcement to upskill local talents through the continuation of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes.

       “As the construction industry is still over-dependent on unskilled foreign labour, we really hope this initiative will (equip) the industry with more local talent to overcome the shortage of foreign workers,” he said.

       Budget 2022 has a total allocation of RM332.1bil, the largest ever for the country.